Machine for capping bottles.



H. A. OLSSON.

MACHINE FOB. GAPPING BOTTLES.

APPLICATION FILED DEG. 16, 190e.

Patented Aug. 30, 1910.

a SHEETS-SHEET 1.

. 152122* LSQQ@ Inventorl H A OLSSON MACHINE FOR GAPPING BOTTLES. APPLICATION FILED DEG.16, lQO.

Patented Aug. 30, 1910.

E E T 3 SHEETS-SH inventan ffy/l. 026302@ Witnesses:

H. A. oLssoN.

MACHINE FOR GAPPING BOTTLES. APPLICATION FILED DBG. 16, 1908.

968,791 y Patented Aug. 30, 1910.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

@i El.

HENRY ALBEBTOLSSON, OF BROOKLYN, FAOTUBING COIPANY, 0F BROOKLYN,

YORK.

Yoan, AssieNon. 'ro lumi-saar. itam:- imw Yoan, a concurren or New secunia ron. annue iao'rmis.

To all whom 'it may concern:

Be it known that I,. HENRY ALBEn'r QL s 50N, a citizen of the United States, residing in Brook1yn,1 in the county of Kings and State of New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Machines for Capping Bottles, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to mechanism for ap lying a coating of a sealing material in a iquid or semi-liquid form tothe closure end of a bottle, jar or other vessel.

One of the ob'ects of the invention is to rovide means tor supporting a bottle or ]ar, and to cause a relative movement be tween the bottle and a containing vessel having the sealing fluid therein, whereby the bottle is immersed therein at its closure end for a certain required distance. i

A further object is to provide means whereby the immersing operation will be practically continuous, by merely inserting the bottles at one portion of the machine and removing them at another portion.

A further object of the invention is tor provide supporting means for the closure end of an inverted bottle or jar, whereby a cap will be pressed against the end and side of the bottle mouth, and such cap will be immersedv in the sealing Huid, to effect the securement of the cap to the bottle mouth upon removal of the same from the machine.

Another object of the invention is to provide means for causing a kind of wiping act-ion of the cap onto the mouth of the bottle, and to press the cap around a bead on the outside of the bottle mouth, and retain it in such position vduring the dipping operation.

Another object of the invention is to provide for the automatic operation of the compressing means for the proper positioning of the cap on the bottle neck.

Another object is to provide means for the cleans'i of the bottle holding means from the sea ing iuid immediately after the dipping operation and previous to the subsequent use of the'bottle supporting and enga 'ng means.

n the accompanying drawingshowing embodiments of my invention, Figure 1 is a vertical sectional view through 4the machine. Fig. 2 is a plan view of one of the bottle supporting members. Fig. 3 isa sec- Speoicetion of Lettere Patent. Application led December 16, 190B. lerill lo. $7,898.

Patented Aug. 30, 1910.

tion on the line 3 3 of Fig. 2. Fig. 4

shows in perspective the supporting block. Fig. 5 shows in perspective and Fig. 6 in lan, the segmental .compressin members.

ig. 7 is a fragmentary View s owing the movable compression member and its supporting and operating means. Fig. 8 is a plan View of a modified form of the device. Fig. '9 is a longitudinal section of the same.

'Fig. 10 is a transverse section of the same.

Fig. 11 shows in perspective one of the compressing se ments, and Fig. 12 shows in plan one o the reels for suptporting and operating the endless chain o bottle carriers.

This invention is especially designed to apply sealing fluid to a bottle cap of paper or the like in order to secure the ca to the bottle after the same has been fil ed and closed by suitable closure or stopper member, suchas a disk of paper. The machine is especially adapted for use -with vmilk bottles or jars'having a bead or ring on the outside of the neckat the mouth. In the act of inserting the inverted bottle into the carrier with the cap previously dropped into the carrier, or else placed on the bottle mouth, the cap will be compressed around the bead and held in such position while the bottle mouth is immersed in a suitable vessel containing sealing iuid, for substantiall the depth of the cap member. This is e fected by causing a relative movement between the bottle carrier and the vessel.

In the machine illustrated in Fig. 1,there is an endless chain of the carriers by which the bottles can be successively brought to a certain predetermined position and there immersed. A series of receptacles are .provided that 'are alternately immersed in a tank containing the sealing iiuid and then shifted to the immersing position of the bottles; whereby the operation is practically continuous, the bottles being placed in the' carriers at a certain position ofthe chain before reaching the said position of immersion, and then removed beyond this position. The device is shown as comprising a frame member vF having standards 1 and 2 reels 3 and 4, shown separately in Fig. 12. On these reels is carried an endless chain member that is composed of frame or supporting blocks -5 (see Figs. 3 and 4) that are pivotally connected by links 6 on each at the opposite ends, on which are journaled '10e end of the bead, as indicated in Fig. 3.y

These means are preferably automatic in in their action, so that when the bottle is pushed down, with a cap previously droppedV in the sup ort, the cap will be properly applied an pressed against the bottle neck. In the construction shown a split ring having two parts 8 and 9 is supported from the block 5, the part 8 being rigidly connected with the block by posts '10 and 11. The other portion 9 of the splitring is carried by an arm 12 pivoted to the block in a slot 13, and carrying a roller 14 at its upper extremity. At a certain part of the travel of the carrier this roller on the arm will strike a bar 15 and swing the portion 9 of the split ring away from its other member. When not engaged by this bar 15, the ring portion 9 isheld in engagement with the other portion 8 by a spring 16 on the lever 12, that engages the block 5.

The split ring carries a series of depend-v ing strips, that are preferably resilient. The ring portion 8 carriestwo strips 18 and 19, while the ring 'portion 9 carries a similar strip 20. The lower ends of these strips have transverse arms 21, 22, and 23 extending inwardly-a short distance, and which engage the end of the bottle mouth to support the weight of the bottle. ing strips carry a segmental pressing member in the form of a ring of three vsegments 24, 25 and 26, that are secured to thethree strips respectively. This ring member has its outer portion substantially circular and secured to the strips, while the inner portion is substantially conical and inclined downward- The inner Vdiameter of the conical portion is adapted to engage the cap on the bottle neck and press it against the neck just below the bead, as indicated in Fig. 3. These ring segments also preferably have .their ,inner conical portions slightly overlapping. When the bottle Iwith the cap is pushed down through the opening in the block, the end of theA bottle will engage the conical portion ofthe segmental ring, and the bead will tend tov force these members outwardly or expand the ring. This movement is lpermitted by reason of the three supporting strips being resilient, and this will ,cause a kind of wiping action on the bottle capfthroughout the bead, the bottle passing own until its end reaches the three members v The said depend,

bead, as indicated. If desired spring ingers 27, 28 and 29 may be secured in` the opening in the block to assist vin keeping the bottle central in thecarrier.

When the bottle is removed by drawing it upward, the segmental ring could expand in the 'same manner and release the bottle from the ring. But such action might tend to loosen the bottle cap, and therefore the swinging lever 12 is first swung, by engagement with the bar 15, that will shift the segmental ring portion 26 outward from the bottle. lThen when the bottle is withdrawn, it will slide freely away from the other two segment portions of the ring. Preferably the ring segment 26 is larger than the other two and approximately forms a semicircle as indicated in Fig. 6; so that its opening movement will leave the bottle cap free from any wiping action of the other segments during its removal. It will be observed that the bottle cap is engaged by the supporting arms and the compressing ring over a comparatively small portion of its surface, whereby the immersion of the cap end of the bottle in a sealing fluid will permit practically free access of the iuid to the cap.

lThe cap is engaged at its lower end by the three supporting arms that are comparatively slender, and it is further engaged by the inner edge only of the conica] portion of Vthe ring segments, that will practically com- 'press it on a circle only. 1n order to prevent accumulation of the sealing fluid in the channel that would be formed by the conical portion of the ring and the opposite portion of the bottle cap, suitable openings 30rare formed in this conical portion, so that upon removal of the bottle from the sealing fluid, the Huid drains down through these openings.

As shown in Fig. 1,'the endless chain of `the carriers moves horizontally between the vreels 4 and 3, yand may be guided by channeled bars 31 and 32 into which project rollers 33 extending from the links 6. The sealing fluid is shown as contained in a tank 34, and a series of vessels arebrought successively to engage the successive bottle ends, as the chain is advanced. Four vessels 35, 36, 37 and 38 are shown as pivotally carried by radial members 39 and 40 fast on a shaft 71,

that is rotatable in the tank 34. As this the same distance above thesearms.

ii'se from the tank they will be brought into' Athe path of movement of one of the bottles in a carrier, so that in the uppermost position of the vessel, as shown in Fig. 1, the bottle mouth in the carrier will be immersed in the vessel for the proper distance. Now, as the bottles all travel in the same horizontal path, and as the vessels are successively brought to the same horizontal position, the vessels will become filled by their immersion in the tank, and each bottle will be im- -mersed for the same distance upward from its lower end at each operation, this will be irrespective of the relative length of the bottle because it always rests on the three supporting arms, and the immersion is for The shaft carrying the four vessels is continuously operated at a speed relative to that of the advancement of the endless chain Of carriers whereby as eac-h vessel is elevated from the tank, it will meet a bottle moving y along, and cause immersion of the bottle at the uppermost position of the vessel, at `which position they will have the same surface speed. That is, there is a complete revolution of the shaft carrying the four vessels, as four carriers are brought to the :position for lmmersion. The means shown for ei'ecting such relative movement comprises a belt 72 on a pulley 73 on the shaft 74 of `the reel 3, which belt also passes around a pulley 75 on the shaft 71. Since the vessels are'lled as they leave the tank,

the immersion of the bottle end will causey the sealing fluid to overflow, but of course the vessel will remain full. After'immersion the vessel will return to the tank, and being partly empty, it will receive a fresh supply as it passes into and through the tank. It has been found desirable to use a' sealing fluid of very low melting point such asparalin. This material is heated in the tank by suitable means suchas steam pipes 41. The vessels become heated from immersion in the melted paraffin, and it will be stilliliquid when the bottle cap is immersed therein. As the bottles leave the vessels and advance along the carrier, this fluid will very quickly harden. And the subsequent immersion of the vessel will keepA the'paraflin in a fluid condition. If desired a shelf 42 may be provided beyond the tank to catch any paraffin that may drip off after the immersion. The bottles after immersion remain in the carrier and the central ring still compresses the cap around the bead, and will hold it there until the parafiin or other sealing fluid becomes set or hardened. Then the lever carrying the movable segment of the compressing ring is shifted by the bar l15, that will open the ring segment, yet the bottle will be still supported by the transverse arms engaging its lower end. The

bottle can no'w'be removed -without being" compressed by the segmental ring, that might tend to loosen the cap. After passing, beyond the bar 15, the segmental ring will again close.

Since the lower portion of the carrier,l

,that is, the supporting arms and the seg-- mental rings are immersed in the paraiiin 1n. the-vessels, when they cool a certain amount of this material will adhere thereto, and an undue amount might adhere to-them bythe successive immersions and eoolings. Therefore a tank T is provided at the lower part of the apparatus, and the carriers pass through this tank on their return movement.

The tank preferably contains water that may be heated by steam pipes45. This will melt oli' the accumulated paraffin on the carriers,

and will tend to keep the bottle engaging portion of the carriers in a warm condition, so that the paraiiin will not be cooled thereby in the act of immersing the caps on the bottles.

In Figs. 8, 9 and 10 is shown a slight modification in-which a number of bottles are placed in a stationary holder, and the same number of vessels are elevated from.

-twelve correspondingin position to the carriers, are mounted on a frame 54. This frame has racks 55 and 56 at each side that engage gears 58 and 57 respectively, fast on a shaft 59. The latter is turned by a crank 60 that will serve to elevate the racks and frame by which the vessels 53 are elevatedfrom .immersion in the melted paraffin in the tank,

to a position in which the capped ends of the` inverted bottles are immersed the proper distance in the vessels respectively; as indicated in broken lines in Fig. 9. Thereupon the handle is turned back and the vessels are lowered again into the tank. yMeans are provided for swinging levers 61 on each of the carriers 52', which levers correspond to the levers 12 "and shift the movable ringI segment to release the bottle. A series of A set of twelve of thesev three identicalshafts 62 are shown each of. 4

which carriesfour cams 63. Each of these cams engages one ofthe levers 61 when the shafts are rocked, and serves to open the ring segment to release the bottle as has been described.` These three shafts carry gears 64, 65 and 66 that all mesh with the rack bar 67, and the-latter is reciprocated by a lever bottles are simultaneously released from the compression means. A

Having thus described my invention, I claim:

1. The combination of a frame, a series` of resilient strips on the frame, arms carried by the strips for supporting the mouth of a bottle in an inverted position, a segmental ring member having the segments carried by the respective strips and projecting inwardly in proximity to said supporting members to engage the bottle neck beyond the mouth and compress a cap thereon.

2. The combination of a frame, a series of relatively movable strips on the frame, arms carried by the strips for supporting the mouth of a bottle in an inverted position, a

segmental ring member having the segments carried by the respective strips and projecting inwardly in proximity to said supporting members to engage the bottle neck beyond the mouth and compress a cap thereon, the segmental ring members having overlappin portions.

3. T e combination of a frame, a series of strips on the frame, arms carried by the strips for supporting the mouth of a bottle in an inverted position, asegmental ring member having the segments carried by the respective arms and projecting inwardly in proximity to said supporting members to engage the bottle neck beyond the mouth and compress a cap thereon, said strips beingrelatively movable to permit radial movement of the segments.

4. The combination of a frame, a series of strips on the frame, arms carried by the strips for supporting the mouth of a bottle in an inverted position, a segmental ring member having the segments carried by the respective strips and projecting inwardly in proximity to said supporting members to engage the bottle neck beyond the mout-h and compress a cap thereon, said strips belng resilient to permit radial movement of the Segments.

5. The combination of a frame, a series of relatively movable strips on the frame, arms carried by the strips for supporting the mouth of a bottle in an inverted positlon, a segmental ring member having the segments carried by the respective strips and projectinginwardly in proximity to said supporting members to engage the bottle neck beyond the mouth and compress a cap thereon, the segmental ring having its inner portion arranged conically tapering toward the supportin arms.

6. T e combination of a frame, a series of resilient strips on the frame, arms carried by the strips for supporting the mouth of'a bottle in an inverted positlon, a segmental ring member having the segments carried by the respective strips and projecting inwardly in proximity to said supporting members Ato engage the bottle neck beyond the mouth and compress a'cap thereon, one of said strips having a pivoted support, and means for automatically swinging the support to shift the strip and connected segment away from the other segments to disengage the bottle.

7. The combination of aframe, a series of resilient strips on the frame, arms carried by the strips for supporting the mouth of a bottle in an inverted position, a segmental ring member having the segments carried by the respective strips and projecting inwardly in proximity to said supporting members to engage the bottle neck beyond the mouth and compress a cap thereon, a split ring to which said strips are secured, means for rigidly securing one of the segments to the frame, a lever` pivoted on the frame secured to another of said segments, and means for shifting said lever whereby one of the supporting segments and a strip and compressing segment is shifted to and from the other segments.

8. A tank for containing a sealing iuid,`

means for supporting a bottle in an inverted position adjacent the tank, means on the supporting means for pressing a cap on the lower end of the inverted bottle, a vessel smaller than the tank, and supporting means for the vessel movable to shift the vessel from a position immersed in the fluid in the tank to a position in which a cap on the invertedbottle is immersed in the vessel.

9. A tank for containing sealing iuid, means for supporting a series of bottles in an inverted position, means on the supporting means for pressing a cap on the lower end of the inverted bottle, said supporting means' being movable whereby the bottles are successively brought to a certain position adj acent-the tank, a vessel smaller than the tank, and supporting means for the vessel movable to shift the vessel from a position immersed in the tank to a position in which a cap on the inverted bottle is immersed in the vessel when the bottle is in said certain position.

10. A tank for containing sealing Huid, means for supporting a series of bottles in an inverted position, means on the supporting means for pressing a cap on the lower end ofthe inverted bottle, said supporting means being movable whereby the bottles are successively brought to a certain position adjacent the tank, a vessel smaller than the tank, supporting means for the vessel movable to shift the vessel from a position im- 'mers'ed in the tank to a position in which a cap on the inverted bottle is immersed in the vessel when the bottle is in said certain position, means for advancing the bottle-supporting means, means for operating the said vessel-supporting means to shift the vessel between said two positions, and means for operating the cap holding means.

11. A tank for containing sealing fluid, means for supporting a series of bottles in an inverted position, means on the support-- ing means for pressing a cap on the lower end of the inverted bottle, said supporting means being movable whereby the bottles are successively brought to a certain position adjacent the tank, a vessel smaller than the tank, supporting means for the vessel movable to shift the vessel from a position immersed in the tank to a position in which a cap on the inverted bottle is immersed in the vessel When the bottle is in said certain position, means for advancing the bottleupporting means, means for operating the said vessel-supporting means to shift the vessel between said tWo positions, and means for operating the cap holding means automatically after` immersion of the bottle end. 12. A tank for containing a sealing fluid, means for supporting a bottle in an inverted position adjacent the tank, means for automatically pressing a cap against the bottle neck upon insertion ot' a bottle, a vessel smaller than the tank, and supporting means for the vessel movable to shift the vessel from a position immersed in the fluid in the supported to move relatively to cause immersion of the cap on the bottle end in the vessel, and means for effecting such move'- ment.

14. The combination of a frame having a transverse member arranged to engage the end of a bottle inserted therein, members arranged to engage the bottle neck a short distance beyond the mouth, the latter members being relatively movable laterally to compress a cap against the neck of the bottle, means for automatically operating the said compression members by the act of inserting a bottle into the frame, a vessel for sealing iiuid, the vessel and the frame being supported to move relatively to cause im- `mersion of the cap on the bottle end in the vessel.

15. -In a machine for capping bottles, the combination of means for app ying sealing fluid to the sides of a cap on Aa bottle, means for pressing the cap on the sides of the bottle, and means operatively connected with the fluid-applying means for causing therelease of said compressing means.

16. In amachine for capping bottles, the

combination of means for applying sealing lfluid to the sides of a cap on a bottle, means for pressing the cap on the side of a bottle, and means operatively connected With the fluid-applying means for causing the said,

compressing means to open and close.

17. In a machine for cappin bottles, thel combination of means for app yin sealing fluid to the sides of a cap on a bott e, means for causing a cap to be pressed on the sides lofthe bottle, and means operatively connected with the fluid-applying means for effecting the release of the compressing means.

18. In a machine for capping bottles, the combination of means yforapplying sealing fluid to the sides of a cap on a bottle, means for causing a cap to be pressed on the sides of the bottle, and means operatively connected with the fluid-applying means for effecting the release of the compressing' means after theapplication of the sealing fluid by said means.

19. In a machine for capping bottles, the combination of means for supporting a bottle, means for applying sealing fluid to the sides of a cap on the bottle in the supporting means, means for pressing the cap on sides of the bottles in the supporting means,4

and means operatively connected With the Huid-applying means for eecting the release of the pressing means successively as -tlie bottles have been treated by the fluid applying and compressing means.

21. In a machine for capping bottles, the

' combination of a tank for containing sealing fluid, means for supporting a bottle and cap in an inverted position near the tank, means on the supporting means for pressing a capon the lower end of an inverted bottle in the supporting means, a plurality of vessels smaller than the tank, supporting means fory 1 such vessels movable to shift the vessels successively from a position immersed in the sealing lluid in the tank to a position in which a cap on the mouth of the inverted bottle on the supporting means is immersed in one of the vessels. y

22. In a machine yfor capping bottles, the

eom'bination of a tank :for containing sealing Huid, means for supporting a bottle and cap in an inverted position near the tank, meas on the supporting means for pressing a cap on the lower endl' of an inverted bottle in the supporting means, a plurality of vessels smaller than the tank, supporting means for such vessels movable to shift the .vessels successively from a position immersed in the sealing fluid in the tank to a position in which a cap on the mouth of the inverted bottle on the supporting means is immersed in one of the vessels, said supporting means comprising a shaft having a series of arms upon which the vessels aret pivotally mounted. v

23. In a machine for capping bottles, the

combination of a tank for containing sealing fluid, means for supporting a bottle and cap in an inverted position near the tank, means on the supporting means for pressing a cap on the lower end of an inverted bottle, a' vessel smaller than the tank, supporting means for such vessel movable to shift the -vessel from a position immersed in the sealing fluid in the tank to a position in Which a cap on the mouth of the inverted bottle in the supporting means'is immersed in the tank, and means for'heating the fluid in the stank.

24. In a machine for capping bottles, the combination of a tank for containing a sealing iiuid, means for supporting an endless chain, bottle-supporting means on the chain for supporting bottles in an inverted position to bring them successivelyto .a certainv place upon advancement of the chain, means on each supporting means for holding a cap on the lower end of the inverted bottle, a series of vessels smaller than the tank, supporting means for the vessels movable to successively. and continuously shift the vessels from a position immersed in the fluid in the tank to said certain position to thereby cause the bottles and caps as advanced by the endless chain to besuccessivel immersed in the vessels respectively as a vanced by the supporting means.

25. In a machine for capping bottles, the

Von each supporting means for holding a cap on the lower end of the inverted bottle, a series of vessels smaller than the tank, supporting means for thel vessels movable to successively and continuously shift the ves-t sels from a position immersed in the fluid in the tank to said certain position to thereby cause the bottles and caps as advancedl by the endless chain to be successively immersed in the vessels respectively as advanced by the supporting means, and a tank into which the chain and bottle supporting means pass at one portion of their travel.

26. In a machine for capping bottles, the combination of means for applying sealing fluid to the sides of a cap on a bottle, means for pressing the cap on the sides of the bottle, means for causing operation of the compressing means, and means for heating the compressing means.

27. In a machine for capping bottles, the combination of a tank for containing a sealing fluid, means for supporting an endless chain, bottle-supporting means on the chain for supporting bottles in an inverted position to bring them successively to a .certain place upon advancement of the chain, means on each supporting means for holding a cap on the lower end of the inverted bottle, a series of vessels smaller than the tank, supporting means for the vessels movable to successively and continuously shift the vessels from a position to thereby cause the .bot-

tles and caps as advanced by the endless chain to besuccessively immersed in the vessels respect1vely as advanced bythe supportmg means,l and means for heating the said ,o

supporting means.

' HENRY ALBERT OLSSON.

Witnesses:

WILLIAM I-I. REID, Finn).V DOLE. 

